Alabama fans will await with bated breath, as the newest member to the Heisman fraternity will be announced at 6:00 p.m. CT via ESPN on Tuesday night.
For the first time in program history, the Crimson Tide has two top finalists for the Heisman Memorial Trophy and it’s expecting to gain its third Heisman winner. For the duo of DeVonta Smith and Mac Jones, both players have been on a tremendous journey that has led them to this point. Both came in Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class as pure competitors with high work ethic skills.
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Greatness has come from both this season, but America could not take its eyes off Smith.
Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass against Notre Dame Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 in the College Football Playoff Semifinal hosted by the Rose Bowl in AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports
Since recording the game-winning touchdown reception versus Georgia in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, he has developed into the greatest receiver in Alabama football history. Along with this, the senior has proven to be arguably the best player in college football. Not only is he a consensus All-American, but Smith is also a recipient of multiple individual honors — including SEC’s Offensive Player of Year, Sporting News Player of the Year and Associated Press Player of Year. He became the first receiver to win AP Player of the Year (since 1998) and was the Most Valuable Player (offense) at the Rose Bowl Game. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder has 105 catches for 1,641 yards with 20 touchdowns. He leads both Alabama and the NCAA in all three categories. Smith has 22 total scores on the year and his eight 100-yard games — including six when Jaylen Waddle (ankle) was out — is just one of many reasons as to why the Louisiana native will likely win the Heisman Trophy.
No one can deny Smith’s greatness, but Jones is also deserving of the coveted bronze award.
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In the departure of Tua Tagovailoa to the NFL Draft, very few people saw Jones as Alabama’s starting quarterback.
Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before the Rose Bowl against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
In fact, he endured much criticism on social media. Some saw him as a downgrade from Tagovailoa, while others predicted the Tide to have three to four losses if he was the starter.
People were even pushing the agenda of Bryce Young, a five-star freshman from California, being better than Jones and that he needs to start.
After seeing what he did at Mater Dei High School, the idea that dominated conversations over the summer was Young would win the starting job in preseason camp or by Alabama’s fourth game against Georgia. Whether the ridicule came from Tide fans, rival fans or media pundits, all it did was orchestrate one of the greatest seasons by a Crimson Tide quarterback.
Doubters said Jones could not score like Tagovailoa, but he guided the Tide to its highest output of points (48.2 ppg) in the Nick Saban era.
Jones led Alabama to at least 40 points in 10 games this year. Critics said Jones could not stretch the field in the passing game; however, the redshirt junior is the first-ever 4,000-yard passer (4,036) of the Saban era. He surpassed Tagovailoa’s single-season record for passing yards (3,966) from 2018, and most of his 36 scoring passes have come on plays of 20+ yards.
People questioned his ability to take care of the ball, yet Jones answered that with only four interceptions.
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He leads all quarterbacks in college football for completion percentage (77%), passing efficiency rating (203) and total quarterback rating (95.8).
People did not believe he would dominate in the marquee games of a conference-only schedule; nevertheless, he completed 120-of-159 passes (75.5%) for 1,819 yards with 21 touchdowns to two picks in wins over Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Florida (SEC Championship) and Notre Dame (Rose Bowl). Every time he faced adversity, Jones handled it with production and earned a victory.
He is a consensus All-American and a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner.
Jones has gone from being doubted to people begging him to stay one more season.
He’s gone from being labeled a “game manager” to NFL Draft pundits projecting him to be a first-round pick. Smith will more than likely carry home the Heisman, but Jones’ story is certainly one that is Heisman worthy. He has gone from being a three-star recruit to becoming one of the best quarterbacks in program history.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
